Abstract

The first evening meeting of the Society, for the present session washeld on Tuesday, the 12th March, M. Allport, Esq., V.P., in the chair.-The Secretary directed the attention of the meeting to a large andvaluable donation of books lately received from the Government of theUnited States, and from the Smithsonian and other scientific institutionsin America.-A fine specimen of flax grown at the Huon, and an enormous sunflower,in reference to which a paragraph appeared in The Mercury afew days ago, were brought under the notice of the meeting.-Dr. Hall, read a very elaborate and carefully drawn up paper on theClimate and Vital Statistics of Tasmania for fifteen years, 1857—71.-As to the specimens sent by the Rev. H. D. Atkinson (PresentationNo. 15), Mr. Allport remarked that they were of great interest asgiving some reason for believing that the mineral bearing Silurian Rocksare to be found six miles nearer Hobart Town than heretofore supposed.

In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.